Vinyl, otherwise referred to as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is a very popular material used in various industries such as construction, electronics, automobile, and healthcare, among others. According to history, its discovery is pretty much accidental, if you will. In the 1920s, Waldo Semon, a rubber scientist, chanced upon a material with excellent properties while searching for a synthetic adhesive.
After this discovery, vinyl products, such as raincoats and insulated wires, were introduced. By the 1930s, PVC manufacturing plants began to sprout all over to meet the growing demand. In the 1940s, manufacturers directed their attention to the military and replaced rubber-insulated wires with vinyl. By the time World War II came to an end, the vinyl industry had become widely recognized for its versatility. Between the 1950s and 1970s, vinyl applications had spread to the fashion industry where it was used on fabrics and boots. Later, vinyl made its way into the construction industry, where it was used in numerous building applications thanks to its non-corrosive properties.
Today, PVC is one of the highest-selling plastics in the world. Vinyl’s versatility as both a hard and soft plastic has made it applicable to all industries imaginable. So what are the chemical components of vinyl that make it so diverse? Vinyl is made from crude oil and is composed of two main parts: chlorine and ethylene (ethylene dichloride). Vinyl windows made their first debut in the 1970s and have continued to maintain an upward trend even in modern society. Their numerous benefits range from affordability, flexibility, durability, to beautiful aesthetics, and low maintenance to even energy efficiency. We shall delve into some of these attributes below.
Color Options
Say you’re soon to become a homeowner, and you’re constructing your home from scratch. You’re trying to figure out where to start when it comes to giving your home finer details. Well, you won’t go wrong with vinyl windows. Involving home improvement professionals in your project is going to be massively rewarding. With the changing times, modern interior designers and manufacturers have to stay ahead of the game, and most are now leaning towards vinyl windows.
Vinyl can be produced in numerous colors. Color, as is widely known, plays a significant role in the overall décor of your home. It can almost make or break a home. So why not take the opportunity to create a signature look for your home with vinyl windows? At US Window & Door, our Milgard windows come in a variety of shades to suit your style. Our window color options are neutral enough to match your exterior paint, but still bold enough to complement your contemporary style. These varieties include:
♦ White
♦ Bronze
♦ Classic brown
♦ Tan
♦ Tweed
♦ Espresso
♦ Silver
♦ Fog
♦ Clay
♦ Ivory
♦ Sand
While some people might think to paint over their windows to create their preferred look, Milgard windows will save you all that hustle. As for the window frames, the interior grids are available in white, while the exterior grids are available in eight colors. The darker shades are popular with developers looking to create a great contrast on homes with lighter-colored exteriors or even “hide” the visibility of dirt. White windows are often a classic style. They will definitely add a touch of purity and finesse to your home. Other lighter shades like tan, ivory, and fog will, on the other hand, create a neutral palette that you can combine with any exterior paint colors of your choice.
Milgard windows will surpass all your expectations when it comes to high standard finishes. Our windows feature Milgard premium exterior vinyl finishes. It’s an original two-coat finish formula that is highly durable to withstand the damaging UV rays that would otherwise destroy the exterior color. This formula is also translucent, thus maintaining high color and gloss performance standards.
Cost
Let’s talk about money. What are your expectations when it comes to vinyl windows? Most people imagine that the cost would be quite hefty, mainly because of the wider options to customize with numerous elegant varieties. Well, they are wrong. Vinyl windows are one of the most affordable types in the market. In fact, they compare rather fairly to wood, fiberglass, and aluminum. Depending on your budget, thanks to vinyl’s flexibility, you can get varying designs. Their maintenance cost is also overall quite pocket-friendly since you will not need to paint them.
Durability
When it comes to durability, vinyl ranks quite high on the performance scale. A good vinyl window should last you up to 30 years. Milgard vinyl windows, on the other hand, will last you well over three decades. That’s a pretty long time, especially when factoring in the rather affordable costs. Milgard prides itself in designing resilient all-weather windows that will not require paint or stain touch-ups for years to come.
Energy Efficiency
In modern society, you need an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient product, as caring for our environment is becoming an increasing concern. This is where vinyl windows rank much higher than wood and aluminum windows. Milgard vinyl windows offer superior thermal protection thanks to their high R-value. Also known as the inverse of the U-value, R-value refers to a rating used on materials to determine their thermal resistance, i.e., the material’s ability to transfer heat. U-value, on the other hand, refers to the insulation performance of an element. Your window’s performance is measured by its overall insulating value. The higher the R-value of your window, the more resistant it is to heat change and thus, more energy-efficient.
An inefficient window is one that doesn’t conserve energy. Homes with such windows lose cool air in hot seasons and warm air during the winter. Milgard vinyl windows will lower your household’s energy consumption and maintain consistent temperatures throughout the seasons. These windows are designed to meet the strict solar and thermal requirements as set by the local jurisdictions. They are also simulated against varying temperatures to test their energy performance.
Milgard vinyl windows for San Diego have even provided numerous options for clients to choose from depending on their climate region. This extra touch offers their clients with maximum comfort regardless of location, since Milgard ensures to meet and often exceed state requirements.
So what is the secret behind Milgard’s energy-efficient windows?
♦ 4th Surface
This is a durable transparent conductive oxide coating that makes double-pane windows perform like their triple-pane counterparts. How? 4th Surface enhances the window’s U-factor by reflecting heat that would otherwise have been lost back into your home. It also enables dual-pane windows to offer more light transmittance into your home than triple-glazed windows.
♦ Dual and Triple Glazing
If you look at most windows in older structures, you will notice that they usually have single glass panes. Modern windows, however, use dual and triple panes to provide better insulation for your home. When you use Milgard windows, you will notice a reduction in energy consumption during cold seasons. These windows will also protect your home from heat build-up, especially during hot summer seasons.
♦ SunCoat Low-E Glass Coating
Low-E refers to low emissivity, i.e., glass with this solar control coating will have improved thermal performance. Milgard applies a thin layer of SunCoat to one side of the glass panes to retain heat inside your home during harsh winters and reflect the overbearing heat out of your home during summer. When you install Milgard vinyl windows, your household items will also be protected from the harsh UV rays, and therefore your vibrant upholstery colors have no chance of fading.
♦ Spacers
To keep dual or triple glass panes at a correct distance from each other, Milgard incorporates spacers. These spacers also position the glass to create optimal insulation. The variety of spacers available at Milgard include EdgeGard, EdgeGardMAX, and argon and krypton gas-filled spacers.
Little to No Maintenance
Are Milgard vinyl windows really low maintenance? Yes, indeed! In fact, many experts would even dare to refer to them as “maintenance-free.” That’s how little labor you will require to maintain them. Despite their outstanding performance when it comes to durability, dirt, and dust accumulation on your vinyl windows are inevitable. How you take care of your windows will go a long way in ensuring they serve you well. Care, in this case, refers to handling as well as cleaning.
♦ Proper Handling
So what does proper handling entail? Following the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions on how to operate vinyl windows is essential. For instance, most people are not aware that to close sliding windows, they must use both hands. Because of such mishandling, your window frames can end up cracking or breaking. You will need to educate yourself and your family on properly operating Milgard vinyl windows so that they can last you a lifetime.
♦ Cleaning the Glass Panes
Cleaning vinyl windows is easy peasy, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. To clean the glass panes, you will need to use a mild soap or a vinegar-based cleaning solution. Ensure that you use a soft sponge to avoid leaving streaks on the glass surface. Avoid using alcohol-based cleaners as they’ll also contribute to the ugly streaks.
Rub the sponge onto the glass in light circular motions starting from the top of the window to the bottom. When cleaning the interior glass pane, wipe down the surface and frames rather than pouring water on them, to avoid spotting.
♦ Cleaning Your Window Frames
You should expect your window exteriors to be free of dirt, especially during the rainy season generally. However, you will still need to clean your frames at least once every six months to prevent them from deteriorating. Similar to glass panes, wash your vinyl frames with mild soap. Avoid acidic solvents as they could lead to discoloration of your frames. Remember to use a soft cloth or a soft bristle brush for spots with tougher stains. Once done, rinse off the soap solution with clean water to prevent any soap residue from sticking onto the vinyl.
♦ Cleaning the Sash Tracks
Your sash track needs to be free of water and dirt for the window to function correctly. The sash track also needs to be airtight, and water should drain outside. Since the natural elements are likely to deposit debris and dirt onto your tracks, it is paramount that you regularly clean them. Once again, remember to use clean water, mild soap, and a soft cloth or soft bristle brush. Keeping your sash tracks clean promotes the durability of the hinges and easy drainage of water through the drain channels.
♦ Lubricating Window Hardware
Window hardware refers to the components that allow you to lock, unlock, and grip your vinyl window. Use clean water and mild soap solutions to clean the parts. Rinse and dry the hardware before lubricating. You can oil the rotary device using automotive grease or petroleum jelly. However, you should lubricate the hinges, rollers, and latches with silicone-based lubricants.
Other maintenance rules that you should observe are listed below:
• Do not use sharp objects such as knives or blades to remove hard stains, as they will damage the vinyl and glass surfaces.
• Avoid cleaning your windows in the face of the glaring sun to prevent soap residue from drying up on the surfaces.
• Do not use vinegar or abrasive solutions on the window hardware.
• Do not use high-pressure sprays to rinse the windows. Use gently-flowing hose pipe water.
Conclusion
Milgard vinyl windows are an excellent choice, especially for clients looking for a modern solution to complement their decor perfectly. Affordability and durability are only but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the incredible benefits you will experience from your vinyl windows. At US Window & Door, we are your trusted San Diego vinyl window dealers. We work with both contractors and individual homeowners in their commercial and residential projects to help them find the perfect solution to their construction needs. In addition to supplying, we also offer installation services to clients as requested. If you’re considering vinyl windows for your next project, get in touch with us today to find out how our products can transform your home to an oasis of comfort, beauty, and energy efficiency.
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